Elliot Grove, who founded and runs the excellent Raindance film organisation, wrote an article about Hollywood's four biggest lies.
Number 4 is that the film industry makes film-maker deals. Actually it makes money deals. He says film-makers often want to make a $20 million picture right away. The way to get to make a $20 million picture is to first make a $2 million picture that is profitable. The way to get make a $2 million picture is to make a $200,000 picture that is profitable. The way to get to make a $200,000 picture is to make a $20,000 picture that is profitable...
I think that lesson applies to a lot more than just movies. Elliot teaches a "Lo-To-No Budget Filmmaking" class at Raindance. For more information check out raindance.co.uk.
(There's also information about writing films and other stuff at my site, www.timetowrite.com. Go have a look!)